Tulips in Garden Borders

Tulips in Garden Borders
Bedding in an intensive form of gardening and even when a proportion of the ground area covered is allocated to hardy perennials, the time, effort and costs associated with it are high.

Within the confines of small private garden, the approach has limited appeal, as the priority is to maximize the available space to create a pleasing image throughout the year.

The mixed border, where all conceivable types of plant are brought together to provide structure and year round interest, has evolved to fulfill this need.

A conventional flower bed would need to be repeatedly replanted with bulbs, early – and then late flowering annuals to maintain a similar continues display, with new plants being grown in a reserve are of the garden awaiting their turn in an endless cycle.

In Victorian times labor and space were available to make this feasible but rarely is that the case today.

Cramming tulips together in mass bedding schemes robs them of their individuality.

In contrast, when freed to emerge in discrete clumps or drifts throughout garden borders they regain their inherent grace and character.

Subtle association can be developed between their individual flower shapes and their varied flower colors, and the plants that surround them.
Tulips in Garden Borders

Tulips

Good Garden for Pets

Good Garden for Pets
Contrary to a popular belief pets and gardens are compatible. All need is some creativity to accommodate both of them.

However, because the animal is part of our life we have to consider meeting his or her needs a given when setting out to lay out yard and garden.

The biggest concern may be where the pets “do their business.” Dog and cat urine can treat brown spots in lawn (because it’s too high in nitrogen), especially when pet is a creature of habit and returns to the same spot over and over again. Just water the area to dilute and the problem should go away.

Dusty the area with gypsum can also help.

Either bury or scoop pet poop – is our decision. Just never add this waste to a compost pile or spot where edible plants are growing, because cats and dogs aren’t vegetarian and meat waste products don’t belong there.

Pet feces can contain harmful bacteria, parasites or other disease causing organisms.

Dogs seem to have basic outdoor needs:

Water to drink: Place a large bowl of fresh on a spot where the dog can get direct access to it without trampling through valued plants and where no humans will step on it.
Replenish the water often, as it may collect debris dry up, or get too warn if in the sun.

Shade to rest in: The dog may have his or her own ideas about which shrubs or trees to rest under, but we can influence decision by trimming away lower branches so scooting into into the spot is easier.
We also can create and fill in a “sand beach” which also allows unfettered and non-destructive digging, of your pouch is a digging sort.

Outdoor cats need clean, cool water and they also like the sanctuary of safe, shady spot they can observe undetected or undisturbed.

Watch where they go and improve it for them if we can with extra protection and more space.

The sand beach idea is not for cats; they’ll think it’s an outdoor litter box.

Sometimes cats use tree trunks as scratching posts; little trees can’t tolerate this abuse of their outer bark, so rig a collar of tape or wire to prevent the damage.

If the pets birds in cages is outside do so temporarily – birds tend to be sensitive to cold nights, winds or hot sun.

Make sure they have plenty of water. And don’t leave caged birds outdoors unattended.

Vermin are sometimes attracted to the feed in their cages curious wild birds that can pass on disease often visit.
Good Garden for Pets